Trump & Co. Need to Stop Empty Threats and Fulfill Their Promise to Eliminate the Congestion Tax

“THE CONGESTION PRICING IS NO MORE. Manhattan, and the entirety of New York, is RESCUED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”

These were the words of President Donald Trump back in February following the decision by his Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to retract the approval for New York’s congestion-pricing tax that then-Governor Andrew Cuomo had pushed through and that current Governor Kathy Hochul enforced in January.

Duffy asserted that the tolls had to be eliminated, setting a firm deadline for March 21.

That’s great, but there was no “or else” — and by the time March 21 arrived, that hard deadline was pushed to April 20.

Now that April 20 has passed, the tolls remain in effect, and Duffy has issued a third deadline: May 21.

What’s the deal?

Motorists continue to be hit hard, with the fee at an astonishing $9 per day.

Perhaps this time, Team Trump truly, truly, truly means business: On Monday, the Secretary of Transportation did outline (somewhat vague) repercussions if New York continues to ignore its directive.

If Hochul cannot sufficiently justify why the federal government shouldn’t penalize the state for refusing to dismantle congestion pricing by May 21, the DOT will likely pull billions in funding from the Federal Highway Administration and deny green lights for future projects.

That’s a heavy cost for an exceedingly unpopular toll, but will it compel Hochul to yield?

Or will she dismiss the new threats as just as empty as prior ones?

Up until Monday, Duffy’s actions seemed limited to merely chastising and extending the deadline.

This has tarnished the Trump administration’s credibility.

Indeed, Hochul already appears quite self-assured.

On Monday, she quipped: “I have received the letter from USDOT once again extending their congestion pricing threats. I reiterate: congestion pricing is legal — and it’s working.”

It seems she’s ready to call Duffy’s bluff and disregard the May 21 deadline as well.

In fact, it remains uncertain whether Trump & Company will ever succeed in eliminating the tolls anytime soon.

New Yorkers may be stuck with them for the foreseeable future.

However, that’s a lesson not to make promises you can’t fulfill and to avoid threats without follow-through.

No, that doesn’t mean Trump shouldn’t keep attempting to eliminate these tolls.

New Yorkers despise them: they are yet another tax burden in a state already facing overwhelming taxation.

But it’s crucial for the president to maintain his credibility.

Curtail the tolls for real, Mr. President — or stop boasting about having done so.